Auxiliary Bishop José Antonio Álvarez Sánchez of Madrid has died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 50.
The bishop, who had served in the role for little more than a year, passed away in the early hours of 1 October, leaving one of Europe’s largest dioceses in shock.
Born in the Spanish capital in August 1975, Álvarez devoted his entire priestly ministry to the Archdiocese of Madrid. After studies at the San Dámaso Ecclesiastical University, he was ordained priest in 2000 and undertook pastoral work in parishes and schools before moving into the formation of seminarians. For nearly a decade, he served as a formator at the diocesan seminary, and in 2015 he was appointed rector, a role he held until 2024.
His reputation as a thoughtful teacher and guide to men preparing for the priesthood made him widely respected within the diocesan clergy. He also held posts as chaplain to religious sisters, university chaplain, and secretary to Bishop César Franco when the latter served as an auxiliary of Madrid. His pastoral ministry extended across education, spiritual direction, and diocesan governance, and he became a familiar figure among both clergy and laity.
On 23 April 2024, Pope Francis appointed him auxiliary bishop of Madrid, alongside Vicente Martín Muñoz, naming him titular bishop of Berja. He was consecrated on 6 July in the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena by Cardinal José Cobo Cano, the archbishop of Madrid. Soon afterwards he was entrusted with further responsibilities, becoming vice-grand chancellor of San Dámaso Ecclesiastical University in August, and vicar general of the archdiocese in February 2025. He also served as a member of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference commission for the Laity, Family and Life.
Álvarez’s unexpected death marks a sudden end to a ministry closely linked to priestly formation and the governance of his home diocese. He was the youngest of Madrid’s auxiliary bishops and was considered a leading figure in the archdiocesan curia, supporting Cardinal Cobo in pastoral and administrative duties.
The Archdiocese of Madrid is preparing a requiem Mass for a bishop who had been a priest for a quarter of a century and a bishop for just over a year.
His life spanned parish work, academic formation, and episcopal governance, but at its heart remained a consistent commitment to the service of the local Church in Madrid.
Requiescat in pace.
(Photo: Archidiócesis de Madrid)
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